BJP leader Ram Kadam has questioned the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government’s handling of the Disha Salian death case, asking why it did not agree to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe when demands for an independent investigation were raised.

Kadam’s remarks came after the Bombay High Court ordered the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a fresh investigation into the 2020 death of celebrity manager Disha Salian. The court’s intervention has brought the long-running case back into focus and intensified political exchanges in Maharashtra. 

Ram Kadam Raises Questions

Kadam questioned the decision-making of the then Maharashtra government and asked why a CBI investigation had not been accepted earlier. His comments reflect the BJP’s renewed criticism of the former state administration following the High Court order.

The BJP leader has sought answers over how the earlier investigation was handled and why demands for a central probe were not acted upon at the time.

The allegations are politically contentious, however, and the court has not held any individual responsible for Salian’s death.

Bombay HC Orders Fresh CBI Probe

The Bombay High Court on September 2 directed the CBI to register an FIR and investigate all aspects surrounding Salian’s death. The order followed a petition filed by her father, Satish Salian, who had challenged the earlier handling of the case. 

The court directed the CBI to appoint a suitably experienced officer, record Satish Salian’s statement and take over the relevant investigation material.

The bench observed that the earlier police investigation raised questions and concluded that a fresh and substantive inquiry was necessary.

Court Cautions Against Premature Accusations

While ordering the CBI investigation, the High Court made an important clarification. It said that no person should be treated as an accused unless the investigating officer finds sufficient material to establish reasonable grounds for suspicion.

The direction is significant because several political figures have been linked to public discussions surrounding the case over the years. The court’s order does not establish criminal liability against any person and leaves that question to the investigation. (Hindustan Times)

What Happened to Disha Salian?

Disha Salian, who had worked as a celebrity manager and had briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area.

Her death occurred six days before Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence. The proximity of the two deaths led to widespread public speculation about whether the cases were connected.

Mumbai Police had earlier treated Salian’s death as an accidental death, while her family later raised questions about the circumstances and sought a fresh investigation. (Hindustan Times)

Aaditya Thackeray Rejects Allegations

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has rejected allegations linking him to the case. Following the High Court’s decision, he questioned why he should respond to what he described as repeated allegations against him.

Thackeray’s position remains that he has no connection with Salian’s death. His response came as political parties renewed their claims and counterclaims following the court’s decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI. (Loksatta)

CBI Investigation Now Underway

The fresh investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death, including material and evidence collected during earlier inquiries. The High Court has directed that the investigation cover the circumstances in which she lost her life rather than being restricted to a particular theory about the death. (The Indian Express)

For now, the CBI probe is the key development in the case. Whether it establishes any criminal offence or identifies responsibility will depend on the evidence collected during the investigation.

Addressing party workers during the ongoing Ram Raksha Andolan in Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray alleged that the controversy had shaken the faith of devotees and said those responsible for the alleged misappropriation of offerings must be brought to justice. He accused the BJP of remaining silent on an issue involving one of the country's most revered temples.

The protest forms part of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s statewide Ram Raksha Andolan, launched by party chief Uddhav Thackeray after allegations surfaced that cash and valuables offered by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple had been stolen by individuals involved in counting donations. The campaign has sought to project the party as defending the sanctity of the temple while questioning the functioning of the trust responsible for its administration.

Speaking during the programme, Aaditya Thackeray questioned why action had not been taken swiftly despite the seriousness of the allegations. He maintained that the issue was not political but related to protecting the trust of millions of devotees who contribute offerings at the temple. According to the party, the movement is aimed at demanding transparency rather than targeting any religion or place of worship.

The controversy erupted after police arrested several individuals allegedly linked to the theft of donations from the Ram Mandir. Investigators recovered a substantial amount of cash during the probe, following which the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust initiated internal changes in its administration. The trust accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, appointed an interim secretary and began the process of selecting a chief executive officer.

The trust has described the alleged theft as a matter of deep concern but has appealed against politicising the issue. Trust president Nritya Gopal Das said the incident had caused pain to everyone associated with the temple and expressed confidence that appropriate action would be taken by the authorities.

The BJP, meanwhile, has accused opposition parties of attempting to derive political mileage from the controversy. Party leaders have maintained that law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter and that those found guilty will face legal consequences. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has also appealed to devotees to remain patient and not allow the incident to be used to create divisions in society.

The donation controversy has become a significant political issue ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, with several opposition parties questioning the governance of the temple trust. The Congress has demanded greater transparency and called for an independent investigation, while Shiv Sena (UBT) has continued to organise public programmes highlighting the issue.

Political observers believe the episode has broadened beyond a criminal investigation, evolving into a debate over accountability in the management of religious institutions. While the police investigation into the alleged theft is continuing, the issue is expected to remain part of the political discourse in the coming months as parties sharpen their campaigns ahead of future elections.